The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is mandated under the Clean Air Act to adopt stronger pollution standards in order to adequately protect the health of the American public. EPA will make decisions in 1999 to clean up three of the largest sources of ozone pollution. Compliance will take five or more years in many instances. We need improvements NOW.

Power plants: In 1998 EPA moved to partially close the grandfathered loophole that power pants have enjoyed for over two decades by requiring 22 Eastern states to reduce nitrogen oxide pollution from power plants and other large industries. State plans are due in September 1999, but eight states have announced they will not comply fully, and have sued EPA. EPA has the authority to impose a federal plan on these states to force clean up.

Cars: EPA is proposing new tailpipe standards for cars, minivans, sport utility vehicles and pick-up trucks that will take effect in 2004. Cars, light trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) contribute 30% of the nation's smog-causing nitrogen oxide pollution, more than any other pollution source. EPA can help to reduce this pollution by finalizing a strong Tier 2 rule that makes cars and trucks meet the same stringent standards, does not give a special break to diesel, and promotes advanced technology. By the end of this year, the EPA will adopt these tough new "Tier 2" standards, which could cut air pollution from the typical new car by almost 90% and require cars, on average, to meet nitrogen emission standards that are 89% cleaner than the current national standards.

Gasoline: As part of the rulemaking to clean up cars, EPA proposes to reduce sulfur in gasoline to levels 10 times cleaner by 2004. This will be important, because sulfur permanently damages catalytic converters. This more refined gas may cost five cents more per gallon. EPA would reduce sulfur levels in fuels to the level currently available in California. These rules will significantly cut auto emissions and help implement the health-based ozone standard adopted by EPA in 1997. The EPA should require the oil industry to sell much cleaner gasoline, reducing sulfur levels in gas 90% below current levels. This will have the same benefit as removing over 50 million cars from the roads.

What can you do? A strong showing of support will be needed. Over the next several months, environmental and health groups across the country will be working hard to let the EPA. know that we want tough new standards. In addition, we all need to write Administrator Carol Browner and urge her to act quickly to adopt the strongest possible protections.

The EPA address is: 401 M Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20460 Write or call your Legislators also to tell them you want no "riders" that might delay this clean-up.